Community
Every school holiday’s, over two half days, up to 12 local primary school aged children with learning differences like Dyslexia, attend Growing Stars, a hands-on craft based programme developed by local charitable organisation, Learning Differences Aotearoa Trust.
The workshop, thought to be the only one of its kind in New Zealand was developed by the Trust’s Learning Advisor Chris Cole and her team of volunteers five years ago.
Chris developed the workshop after personally experiencing and seeing a need for more emotional and mental well-being support for parents, caregivers and their children who had heightened anxiety and low self-esteem from learning difficulties.
Having a learning difference can have a big impact on a child’s life. Through the workshop parents and children are shown how these emotional impacts can be managed and provide practical strategies for home and for coping at school.
“We help children see that although they may think and learn in a different way, that they have amazing strengths and we encourage a growth mindset. I get a huge sense of joy seeing children finish the workshop feeling more confident and accepting of who they are, “ Cole said.
In July 2021 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Otago/Southland charity Able Minds to increase volunteer and facilitator numbers as well as expanding the workshops reach.
Thanks to support from the ILT and ILT Foundation, the Trust has been able to keep offering this course to Invercargill families for a small fee.
“Just over 80% of Southland school leavers leave with unrecognised dyslexia so this workshop is a vital tool in early awareness and supporting well- being and mental health of children with a learning difference,” Cole said.
There are still spaces left for the next workshop on 12/13th July. Participants don’t have to have been formally assessed for a learning difference to attend.
To register go to dyslexiasupportsouth.org.nz/growing-stars/upcoming-workshops